Equity Method Investments Narrative (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Mar. 20, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 22, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity in earnings (losses) of equity method investments		$ 292	$ 71	$ (313)	$ 1,330
Goodwill		118,257		118,257			$ 109,501
Equity method investments		$ 26,760		$ 26,760		$ 2,500	28,944
Debt conversion, converted instrument, rate				9.00%
Equity method investment, additional financing						$ 5,000
BioCision, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint venture interest, percentage		20.00%		20.00%				22.00%
Equity in earnings (losses) of equity method investments		$ (200)	(100)	$ (700)	(100)
Investment cost								$ 4,000
Equity method investments		3,000		3,000			3,700
Convertible debt securities		5,400		5,400
Warrants aggregate fair value		100		100
Gain (Loss) on Convertible Debt Securities and Warrants Recognized in Earnings		$ 200		$ 500
ULVAC Cryogenics, Inc.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint venture interest, percentage		50.00%		50.00%
Equity in earnings (losses) of equity method investments		$ 600	200	$ 900	1,400
Equity method investments		22,000		22,000			22,600
Management fee payments received		200		400	500
Charges incurred from related parties		100	200	200	300
Accounts payable for unpaid products and services		$ 100		$ 100
Yaskawa Brooks Automation, Inc.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint venture interest, percentage		50.00%		50.00%
Equity in earnings (losses) of equity method investments		$ (69)	(70)	$ (500)	(100)
Payments to acquire businesses	$ 1,800
Goodwill	$ 200
Equity method investments		1,700		1,700			2,600
Charges incurred from related parties		47	100	1,000	400
Accounts payable for unpaid products and services		0		0			100
Revenues earned from joint ventures		0	$ 2,700	2,100	$ 5,600
Due from joint venture		$ 0		$ 0			$ 2,100